Career Paths in Agri-Tourism

What is Agronomy ?

Agronomy or crop production is the cultivation of crops and vegetables on open-field scale, or under natural rainfall, or controlled irrigation conditions. Technology such as production under protection has become a fast-growing resource-protection and invasion control methodology.

Horticultural production is the science of cultivation of fruits, nuts, vegetables, ornamental plants, including landscape design and development, landscape restoration, soil management and garden design. Horticulturists have knowledge on technologies, and skills to grow produced plants intensively for human food and non-food uses. Scope of work involves plant propagation, cultivation with the aim of improving plant growth, yields, quality, nutritional value, and resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses. Technology such as production under protection has become a fast-growing resource-protection and invasion-control methodology.

Career Paths in Agronomy and Horticulture

Where can I study Agronomy and Horticulture?

BSc Agric Agronomy (Plant Production), Horticulture, Soil Science at

Career Paths in the Animal Industry

Career Paths in Plant Pathology

Where can I study Plant Pathology?

What is Food Science and Technology?

Food Science and Technology encompasses the processing of raw agricultural produce into food products that are acceptable for human consumption. A Food Scientist has the skills necessary to convert these raw materials into the safe, attractive food products and beverages available on our supermarket shelves. Food Scientists constantly seek to improve existing techniques by which new products are developed, processed, packaged, shelf-life extended, stored and transported.
Food Science is an exciting field of study that applies sciences such as Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology to discover ways to improve the taste, nutrition and quality of the world’s food supply. You will also learn about food preservation and processing, food analysis, product development, food packaging and the implementation of food quality and safety systems.

Career Paths in Food Science

Where can I study Food Technology?

What is Breeding and Genetics?

Plant breeding is the science of changing the traits of plants to produce desired qualitative and quantitative characteristics. It improves the quality of nutrition in products for humans and animals, and it improves pest and disease resistance. Plant breeders strive to create a specific outcome of plants and potentially new plant varieties.
Animal breeding is the process of the selective mating of animals with desirable genetic traits, with the aim to genetically improve and/or conserve a population (e.g. breed or herd) of animals, including improvement of growth rate and yield of products such as milk, meat or eggs.

Career Paths in Breeding and Genetics

Where can I study Breeding and Genetics?

Plant breeding: Universities of Stellenbosch, Free State, Pretoria
Animal Science and breeding: Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Free State, Natal, Fort Hare, Venda and The North, where a 4-year B.Sc.-degree in animal science is offered. Animal anatomy and -physiology, monogastric (pigs, poultry, dogs and cats) and ruminant (cattle, sheep and wildlife) nutrition, breeding and management are studied at a graduate level.

What it is

Most agricultural products are regulated in order to ensure safe food and protect the environment. Companies have to comply with various food safety and quality assurance standards as a prerequisite to supply retailers and exporters. Trained and experienced auditors and inspectors are high in demand in the agricultural and food industry. Examples of food safety standards: GLOBALGAP, FSSA

Auditing and Inspection Bodies

What and where to study

A B.Sc. Agric, BSc Food Science or any other relevant degree supplemented with auditing training. At least three years of experience in the industry are necessary to be accepted in auditing training programmes. Inspectors should have a National Diploma in Food Technology or related agricultural field.

What it is

A general manager takes overall responsibility for managing of all aspects of an operational business, ensuring that the company is profitable. The general manager is responsible for effective planning, delegating, coordinating, appointment of staff and overall productivity.

What and where to study

BSc Agric degree in field of preferred specialisation, and an additional degree in commercial studies, i.e. B.Com. Business Management or Masters in Business Administration (MBA)

What it is

Information technology is a broad term encompassing computer systems, networks and the effective usage thereof. Applications of IT are continuously introduced in the agricultural sector, leading to major advantages such as increased productivity, optimum data usage, improving communication and administration. ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) allow organisations to integrate most parts of the business in one automated system, in order to increase effectivity and productivity.

What and where to study

Degrees such as B.Eng. Computer Engineering, B.IT Information Technology, BSc Information Technology or B.Eng (Industrial Engineering) at leading Universities are a good start. For more IT support related jobs, a diploma in IT support can also be useful.

What are GIS and Remote Sensing?

GIS technology integrates common database operations, such as query and statistical analysis, with maps. GIS manages location-based information and provides tools for display and analysis of various statistics, including population characteristics, economic development opportunities, and vegetation types.

What and where to study?

Currently, there are few undergraduate remote sensing programs. A B.Sc. Geography with post-graduate specialisation in GIS and Remote sensing is required. These qualifications are available at the University of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and other leading South African tertiary institutions.

Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing

More information

Plant nutrition is the study of the chemical elements and compounds necessary for healthy plant growth and plant metabolism.
Plant protection is the science of managing plant/crop diseases, weeds and other pests that damage agricultural crops. Biological control is the use of living organisms to keep pest populations under control, below damaging levels.

Career Paths

Industry Bodies

What is Viticulture & Oenology/Wine Making

Viticulture is the science of vine-growing and grape harvesting
Oenology is the science of wine and winemaking

Helpful Links

What it is

Landscape Architecture is the design profession concerned with the design, planning, management and stewardship of the land. … The goal is to achieve environmental, social or aesthetically pleasing spaces by investigating existing social, ecological and geological conditions in the landscape and includes the design of outdoor areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes.

What to study

Degree in Landscape Architecture. To register as a professional Landscape Architect further studies in Honours and Masters degree are necessary. An interest and knowledge of different plant varieties will be of help.

Industry Organisations

ILASA – Institute of Landscape Architects South Africa
SACLAP – Handle Professional registrations

What it is

Technical sales is a sales position which is field or technical specific, in other words, somebody who is knowledgeable in their field who sells their product to clients, while providing technical support.

What and where to study

Preferably a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture or Food Science, with experience in sales or good communication and inter-personal skills. Additional courses in sales and marketing are recommended. Exceptional strong interpersonal skills are required.

What it is

A packhouse is the facility where fresh fruit and vegetables are packed prior to distribution to commercial outlets. In order to ensure the retention of freshness of these fruit and vegetables, it is extremely important for packhouse logistics to be effective and efficient. A packhouse logistics manager will ensure that products are packed to order, specifications are met, cold storage efficiency, execution of deliveries, etc.

What and where to study

A degree in logistics supplemented by a degree in agriculture or business development, or a degree in Industrial Engineering. Technical qualification for cold room maintenance and installation.

What it is

Procurement is mostly about ensuring the company has the required raw materials to produce their products. In this field, business-supplier relations are very important, as well as good organisational skills to ensure that sufficient amounts of required materials are purchased. A good procurement officer can organise the necessary materials while trying to minimize the costs of these materials.

What it is

Several banks and financial institutions provide agricultural commercial services, i.e. financing to commercial farms and agri-businesses. Crop insurance is a necessary part of the agriculture industry and can protect farmers against natural disasters such as droughts, floods and hail, as well as losses in revenue from changes in the prices of agricultural commodities.

Agricultural Economists
On micro level: focus on issues related to use of resources in the production, processing, distribution, retail and consumption of agricultural products.
On macro level: focus on bigger picture – how agriculture and agribusinesses affect local and world economies and be part of the process of events taking place in other sectors affect these firms, and vice versa. Using prediction models to advise the agricultural industry on future trends. Crop insurers calculate the risk associated in certain areas for certain crops.

Helpful links:
Standard Bank AgriBusiness – www.standardbank.co.za
ABSA Agribusiness – www.absa.co.za
FNB Agribusiness – www.fnb.co.za
Landbank – www.landbank.co.za
Santam Insurance – www.santam.co.za

What it is

Marketing deals with promoting the company’s product or products to either commercial clients or the general public. A key account manager will typically manage accounts of commercial clients. A trader will be involved with procurement and selling of products/commodities, to either local wholesale/retail or export customers.

What and where to study

A B.Com. Marketing or BSc Agric degree in discipline of interest or BSc Consumer Science, supported by additional qualifications/experience in the agricultural or commercial sector. B.Com graduates can acquire additional qualifications in agriculture/food, while the BSc Agric graduate can obtain a qualification in a commercial field of study, i.e. B.Com or IMM (Institute of Marketing Management) www.immgsm.ac.za

Helpful Links

What is Communication and public relations

Communication and public relations are useful tools to improve and maintain the public image of a business or company and to ensure transparency for clients. Public relations officers strive to encourage and facilitate communication between companies and their clients, as well as to promote their products without paid advertisement.

Science Writing: Science writing is writing about scientific subjects in a non-technical way, or reporting on scientific observations and results. Science writing is meant for a general audience, accessible to all levels of knowledge and understanding, for non-experts and “non-scientists”. Click here for more information (external link)

Career Paths

What it is: Education and training

Education and training are necessary on secondary (Agricultural schools) and tertiary (Universities and Colleges) educational level. Teachers and lectures are responsible for creating interest in agriculture, helping school learners and students to gain knowledge on agriculture and agricultural practices. People with a passion for teaching and agriculture will find this a very rewarding career.

What and where to study: Any agricultural or B.Sc. degree at the Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Free State, Natal, Fort Hare, Venda and The North, supplemented with a HED (Higher Education Diploma), or a B.Ed. degree specialising in Sciences (or Agricultural Sciences).

Examples of Agricultural Training Institutes and Schools:
Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute – www.elsenburg.co.za
Hoërskool Bekker (Agricultural school) – www.hsbekker.co.za
Boland Landbouskool – www.bolandlandbou.co.za
Oakdale Agricultural School – www.oakdale.co.za

What it is

Alternative sources for energy are becoming more and more important. Where energy and agriculture overlap, many new opportunities arise, especially concerning biofuels (fuel made renewably with plants or bacteria). Wind and solar farms are increasing in popularity, and with them the amount of jobs in that industry. Since the agricultural industry is more dependent on the environment than other industries, environmental issues are of the utmost importance, thus alternative energy sources are widely being implemented on smaller scale at individual farms or companies.

What and where to study: Degrees or diplomas at Universities of Technology like TUT, CPUT or CUT, with apprenticeships at various renewable energy institutions such as the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC).

Helpful Links

SARETEC – www.saretec.org.za
Centre of New Energy Systems (CNES) at the University of Pretoria – www.up.ac.za
Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at the University of Stellenbosch – www.crses.sun.ac.za

Career Paths in Soil Science

Where can I study Soil Science?

What is Hydrology?

Soil science is the science focussing on soils as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth including soil formation, classification, mapping, and the physical, chemical, biological and fertility properties of soils, and application and management of the soils.

Where to study Hydrology?

University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Pretoria, Free State, North West, Johannesburg

What is Environmental Science?

Environmental Science is the study of environmental systems and the impact of human development and industry on the environment. Impact studies are necessary when considering the environmental effects of agricultural activities. An Environmental scientist will do these impact studies and recommend changes to these agricultural activities to ensure environmental protection.

Where to study Environmental Science?

A 3-year B.Sc. Environmental Science degree is usually not sufficient. Better options include a 3-year B.Sc. Soil science or Hydrology degree, or BSc Agric degree in field of specialization of preference, followed by post-graduate studies in Environmental Sciences. All leading South African universities offer these courses.

Helpful links:
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) – www.wessa.org.za
Earthlife Africa  – www.earthlife.org.za

What it is

Commercial agricultural activities make intense use of mechanical and electronic equipment in order to be productive. Maintenance is necessary to ensure continuous productivity of the farming, processing or packing operation. The agricultural implement manufacturing industry also requires designers and producers of this equipment to supply the growing demand for mechanized farming. Examples of equipment used include tractors, balers, planters, combine harvesters, machine saws, irrigation systems, packing equipment etc.

What and where to study

Typically, a University of Technology degree in Engineering can be applied for technical jobs, especially when supplemented with additional qualifications in agricultural related fields. Apprenticeships in specialised fields enabling maintenance of equipment can also be valuable. Concerning equipment design, a mechanical engineering degree would be ideal.

What it is

Research and Development (abbreviated as R&D) is the process of searching for new ways to improve agricultural practices, ranging from improving yields, to the environmental impact and water consumption of crops. R&D is as broad as the agricultural sector itself, since every field has room for research and improvement. Most R&D is done by academic or research institutions, however R&D is done in-house, on a commercial scale, by private companies. Companies invest heavily in R&D for product development and market expansion.

What and where to study

Any appropriate degree in the field of interest, followed by additional specialisation on Honour’s and Master’s levels.

What it is

Quality assurance is the maintenance of a desired level of quality in a product, by making sure each stage of production meets the appropriate requirements. Food safety describes what level of quality is required with food preparation, handling and storage, to ensure food-borne illnesses are not present. These are important regulations to the agriculture industry and when companies do not comply to these regulations, they often do not pass their audits, leading to damage to sales and the brand name.

What and where to study

Tertiary qualification in Food technology, Food Science, Public Health or Quality at South African tertiary institutions

Helpful Links

South African Association for Food Science and Technology – SAAFoST www.saafost.org.za
South African National Accreditation System – SANAS www.sanas.co.za

What it is

Technical support is specialised advice and consulting given to clients. Technical support and advice are therefore required in most fields of the agricultural sector. Extension is the process of providing education and knowledge to farmers, in order to assist them with specific problems they might be experiencing during the production process.

What and where to study

Preferably a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture, with good communication and inter-personal skills.